[The whole space thing is still really confusing to Merlin, so he's tried to establish as simple a routine for himself as he can here on this... moon... thing. Moon place. Much of his routine is just not thinking too hard about all the things he doesn't understand, which can only carry him so far, so - eventually he needs to do something else with himself before he goes stir crazy. He can't spend a whole day staring at his friends in ice tanks down in that room.
The obvious answer is friendship. He doesn't have any particular reason to seek out Saber besides he likes her well enough, and maybe she'd like to go practice using the cafeteria with him. That's what brings him to go looking for her, tapping his knuckles on the door before he nudges it open an inch or so.]
[The Natha Orbiters had assured her that for a time she would not need to worry about finding a Master, but now it's been several weeks since her arrival aboard the ship. She's slept to reserve mana, but it's far too noticeable how quickly it has depleted.
If only she could dematerialize or had skills some of the other servants, she might be able to sustain herself a while longer. But even for a person who has a lot of mana and without her armor she knows it's not too much longer before she is in trouble. Of course the idea of "choosing a master" is a foreign concept to a servant and she has trouble with it--
The sound at the door makes the woman look up, suddenly alert. Dressed casually in an outfit that was close to something Rin would put her in rather than her normal dress. It's with a moment of surprise before she shakes her head--]
[Ah—as a seasoned veteran of knowing by the slightest tone when people don't want him sticking his nose in things, even that short answer gives him pause. But he's also a seasoned veteran in ignoring those unspoken requests to leave things alone, so there he is, popping head and shoulders around the door.]
I thought you might want to get something to eat. Are you sure you aren't busy?
[At least the response is genuine even if she turns away from him with something of a breath of a sigh.] Unfortunately, I believe it would be in my best interests to stay in and rest for the day.
[Look, at least she's not telling him to go away like Arthur and legitimately needs to rest okay. Saber fixes him with a look before shaking her head.]
You know, it sounds like something a physician should have a look at. [Does she not like physicians?? That's possible, sooo—] I'm not half bad at this kind of thing.
No offense, but there's a decent chance you couldn't put me in a situation worse than half the ones I've put myself in before, anyway. Let me give it a try.
[It's foolish not to answer him. He's a magus and for some bizarre reason she trusts him, there's a familiarity there though she cannot pin it down. He is not her Merlin, but somehow...]
When we first met I introduced myself as the Servant class known as Saber, do you recall this?
[He understands that trust without her saying anything - or rather, he's assuming a little, but it's still there. No point in pretending they aren't drawn to the same point, even if they aren't technically the right one for either of them.
He'll finally shuffle all the way into the room now, instead of loitering in the doorway.]
Sure. I was sort of assuming that had something to do with being a knight.
In a sense. My presence as a Knight of Camelot, as King, was what made me a Servant. [How to word it in the simplest but most convenient terms? It's easier to give the full birth, but overwhelming him as they had done Shirou is perhaps not the best--]
A person is summoned forth who represents each of these classes to fight in something known as the Holy Grail War. In history we are considered heroes, people who accomplished great things, those who wished for more in their life---
We are summoned to fight for our masters within these wars. Some have compared us to familiars, if it's easier to understand-- The most accurate word is the spirits of the past summoned to the present.
[That's not what he expected... at all. With his background in magic it doesn't completely throw him for a loop, but he's more than a little surprised to learn that she's been, what, dead already? And then brought back with magic?
It reminds him of what had happened to Lancelot, but it doesn't seem to be the same thing as a shade, so—] 'The once and future king,' is it...
[And it is. But there's something in the way she frowns and her brows pull together at the idea and taking him that-- She certainly does not seem comfortable with it.]
Although I can regenerate my own mana to an extent, I cannot sustain myself on this plane without a master. I have done all I can to lessen the amount I've used, but we have been on this ship for longer than imagined...
[...Of course he says it immediately. Of course he doesn't stop to think about it. She's going to get worse, yes? That's the end result here, that she can't live without a source of magic?
Well, here he is.] I don't have to tell you I've got magic to spare. Use it.
[Her own response is without hesitation matched with the same fixed look. It's not that she distrusts him--]
It is not merely that you will be supplying magical energy. If there are others that are Servants or even Masters the situation may become dangerous for you. The Holy Grail War may not take place here, but I cannot promise that those who partake in them will forgo former hostilities--
There is that and the relationship of a Master and Servant to take into consideration.
...As a Servant, I would become your blade. It would be my duty to serve you, no harm would come to you.
[The because she wouldn't let it is implied, but she still maintains the same look.]
My self-regeneration abilities may be able to be used by you, at least Shirou had managed to do so in the past-- We would not share magical energy alone but you would be gifted three Command Seals in creating a contract. Those seals would bind us and should you use even a single one I would be commanded to do as you will.
[O....kay. Some of that is a bit much. His brow furrows, but the determination in his gaze doesn't falter so much as critically think about this. He'll have to pace a little.]
Obeying my commands? Is using those a requirement? [That's the big thing, here; he's thrown himself in front of death so many times for Arthur it doesn't make him bat an eye that someone else might do the same. He probably wouldn't let her, but never mind that for now.]
No. You could consider it an trump card as it allows certain endeavors one cannot manage on their own, but I have seen masters use them for unthinkable things--
[A moment passes and she adds:] You must be intent on using them for a seal to work, so you cannot use them accidentally. However, if all three were to be used the contract would break.
[She doesn't immediately respond, it's a lot to process. And he seems foolish to her, just rushing into the situation without knowing-- Without fully understanding the situation. There is no war here, but she worries of what will happen in the future.
And somehow, in some strange way, he is a friend not a master but then... That is what he will become. Perhaps it's too selfish of her to think that way.]
[She's stubborn, again. He isn't trying to compare her to Arthur, it's strange to even besides her not wanting him to anyway—but god, what is it with these Pendragons? How hard is it to accept that other people can help without wanting to get something out of it?
Actually-] I don't care about that! Is there anyone who can do it here, besides me? [well maybe but he's the BEST wizard??] I'm trying to help you, not myself.
The pact between Master and Servant is usually done with the assistance of the Grail, but as I am already summoned...
[A beat.]
You should only need to say the incantation after which I must agree as my duty. A joining of hands would suffice...
[Imma just put this an ic bracket.
Heed my words. My will creates your body and your sword creates my destiny. If you heed the Grail's call and obey my will and reason then answer me. If you do so, I will entrust my fate to your sword.]
Anyway, Merlin will say these words, but know that he thinks they're a little bit extra as hell, and he's the one who comes up with magic spells to wash shirts real good.
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action sometime before game opening
The obvious answer is friendship. He doesn't have any particular reason to seek out Saber besides he likes her well enough, and maybe she'd like to go practice using the cafeteria with him. That's what brings him to go looking for her, tapping his knuckles on the door before he nudges it open an inch or so.]
Saber? Are you busy?
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If only she could dematerialize or had skills some of the other servants, she might be able to sustain herself a while longer. But even for a person who has a lot of mana and without her armor she knows it's not too much longer before she is in trouble. Of course the idea of "choosing a master" is a foreign concept to a servant and she has trouble with it--
The sound at the door makes the woman look up, suddenly alert. Dressed casually in an outfit that was close to something Rin would put her in rather than her normal dress. It's with a moment of surprise before she shakes her head--]
No. What is it?
[Her voice may be a little more curt than usual.]
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I thought you might want to get something to eat. Are you sure you aren't busy?
[She doesn't look busy, but again: the tone.]
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[At least the response is genuine even if she turns away from him with something of a breath of a sigh.] Unfortunately, I believe it would be in my best interests to stay in and rest for the day.
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Are you alright? I could find you a physician.
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It is nothing that concerns a physician.
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But it is something.
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[It's short and simple as she has been, sorry, Merlin.]
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It is simply something I need to work out.
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[Yes that's totally what's happening here. Tell him please.] I want to help.
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No offense, but there's a decent chance you couldn't put me in a situation worse than half the ones I've put myself in before, anyway. Let me give it a try.
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[It's foolish not to answer him. He's a magus and for some bizarre reason she trusts him, there's a familiarity there though she cannot pin it down. He is not her Merlin, but somehow...]
When we first met I introduced myself as the Servant class known as Saber, do you recall this?
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He'll finally shuffle all the way into the room now, instead of loitering in the doorway.]
Sure. I was sort of assuming that had something to do with being a knight.
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Archer. Assassin. Berserker. Caster. Lancer. Rider. Saber.
A person is summoned forth who represents each of these classes to fight in something known as the Holy Grail War. In history we are considered heroes, people who accomplished great things, those who wished for more in their life---
We are summoned to fight for our masters within these wars. Some have compared us to familiars, if it's easier to understand-- The most accurate word is the spirits of the past summoned to the present.
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It reminds him of what had happened to Lancelot, but it doesn't seem to be the same thing as a shade, so—] 'The once and future king,' is it...
[god. dragons are unfunny.]
So—you need... what, exactly? Spare magic?
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[And it is. But there's something in the way she frowns and her brows pull together at the idea and taking him that-- She certainly does not seem comfortable with it.]
Although I can regenerate my own mana to an extent, I cannot sustain myself on this plane without a master. I have done all I can to lessen the amount I've used, but we have been on this ship for longer than imagined...
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[...Of course he says it immediately. Of course he doesn't stop to think about it. She's going to get worse, yes? That's the end result here, that she can't live without a source of magic?
Well, here he is.] I don't have to tell you I've got magic to spare. Use it.
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[Her own response is without hesitation matched with the same fixed look. It's not that she distrusts him--]
It is not merely that you will be supplying magical energy. If there are others that are Servants or even Masters the situation may become dangerous for you. The Holy Grail War may not take place here, but I cannot promise that those who partake in them will forgo former hostilities--
There is that and the relationship of a Master and Servant to take into consideration.
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[Jokes!! He's taking this seriously, he is, but she hasn't yet convinced him to drop it.]
I can take care of myself. Someone has to help you, don't they? Why not me? Besides former hostilities.
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[The because she wouldn't let it is implied, but she still maintains the same look.]
My self-regeneration abilities may be able to be used by you, at least Shirou had managed to do so in the past-- We would not share magical energy alone but you would be gifted three Command Seals in creating a contract. Those seals would bind us and should you use even a single one I would be commanded to do as you will.
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Obeying my commands? Is using those a requirement? [That's the big thing, here; he's thrown himself in front of death so many times for Arthur it doesn't make him bat an eye that someone else might do the same. He probably wouldn't let her, but never mind that for now.]
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[A moment passes and she adds:] You must be intent on using them for a seal to work, so you cannot use them accidentally. However, if all three were to be used the contract would break.
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I still want to help you. I don't need to use those— you have my word.
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[She doesn't immediately respond, it's a lot to process. And he seems foolish to her, just rushing into the situation without knowing-- Without fully understanding the situation. There is no war here, but she worries of what will happen in the future.
And somehow, in some strange way, he is a friend not a master but then... That is what he will become. Perhaps it's too selfish of her to think that way.]
You have no reason to take on such dangers.
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Actually-] I don't care about that! Is there anyone who can do it here, besides me? [well maybe but he's the BEST wizard??] I'm trying to help you, not myself.
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However, I am not your king. There is no reason for you to show me such kindness.
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That isn't the point! You're someone who needs help, and I'm offering it because- because! That's it. It isn't about who you are.
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...I see.
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You— what? Wait. That's it? [Way to just take the wind right out of his sails??]
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So is that a yes or a no?
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[please, end this]
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[Don't be rude??? Like???]
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Well—what do I do?
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[A beat.]
You should only need to say the incantation after which I must agree as my duty. A joining of hands would suffice...
[Imma just put this an ic bracket.
Heed my words.
My will creates your body and your sword creates my destiny.
If you heed the Grail's call and obey my will and reason then answer me.
If you do so, I will entrust my fate to your sword.]
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Anyway, Merlin will say these words, but know that he thinks they're a little bit extra as hell, and he's the one who comes up with magic spells to wash shirts real good.
He says these words here. Now.]